Development of Human Factors Guidelines for Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO): Integration of ATIS and Crash Avoidance In-Vehicle Information: Preliminary Simulator Study.

Kantowitz, B. H.; Simsek, O.; Bittner, A.C. · 1999 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety and Traffic Operations

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Summary

This study, conducted by Battelle’s Human Factors Transportation Center for the Federal Highway Administration, investigates the human factors implications of integrating Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) with driving tasks and Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS). The research addresses three primary questions: the impact of ATIS on driver performance under reduced visibility, the effect of ATIS on reactions to unexpected roadway events, and the interaction between ATIS and CAS alerts. The motivation stems from the need to develop design guidelines for Intelligent Transportation Systems that align with driver cognitive capabilities and ensure safety. The research employed a two-phase experimental design using a high-fidelity driving simulator. Phase I utilized a fractional-factorial design with eight subjects to build an initial performance model, while Phase II used a full-factorial design with twelve subjects to refine the model. Participants drove through various scenarios involving different road types, traffic densities, and visibility conditions (clear vs. fog). Drivers received information via in-vehicle ATIS displays or roadside Variable Message Signs (VMS) and encountered unexpected events, including pedestrian incursions and CAS-triggered collision warnings. Dependent variables included mean speed, lane position stability, and response times to events. Results indicated that mean driving speed was lower in the ATIS condition compared to the control condition, whereas VMS messages did not alter speed. Contrary to hypotheses, visibility conditions (clear vs. fog) did not significantly influence the effects of ATIS or VMS on driving performance; drivers performed consistently across both conditions. Regarding event detection, ATIS messages interfered with drivers' ability to react to pedestrian road incursions, increasing response times. However, ATIS messages did not interfere with responses to CAS warnings. The study suggests that CAS alerts are robust enough to override ATIS distractions, possibly because both systems present information within the vehicle, minimizing attention shifts from the roadway. The findings highlight both benefits and costs of in-vehicle information systems. While ATIS does not compromise the critical function of CAS warnings, it imposes an attentional cost that impairs reactions to external hazards like pedestrians. The authors conclude that while the simulator serves as a valid test bed for evaluating system interactions, further research is necessary before definitive design guidelines can be established. The study underscores the importance of considering cognitive load and attentional resources when designing integrated in-vehicle information systems to ensure they enhance rather than detract from driving safety.

Key finding

In-vehicle ATIS messages reduced mean driving speed and impaired reaction times to pedestrian events but did not interfere with responses to Collision Avoidance System warnings.

Methodology

simulator

Sample size: 20

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• external distraction
• useful field of view
• situational awareness
• feedback modes
• hud ar windshield
• visual

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data
• Methodological Resource: tool software